The implementation of the Freedom of Information Act has ordered the government to let the local residents of a state access their personal documents. This is being followed by most of the states in the country including Virginia. Virginia divorce records are one of the documents that can be accessed by the residents in the state.

The information that can be found in a public divorce record is controlled. This means that there is some information that has been kept confidential to respect the involved individuals. One can only find the names of the couple who got separation. Included on a public document is the date and place where the couple got separated. One would not be able to find information such as the custody of the child, the arrangement of the assets and properties as well as the reason why the couple decided for divorce.

Divorce records can be used in a number of ways. One of the important uses of this document is during marriage. When a divorcee has found a new partner and wants to marry again, the divorce certificate has to be presented when applying for marriage. Also, it is used when processing transactions in the government such as the updating the family history records.

The retrieval of a Record in the state of Virginia is $12 only. Only records that have been registered since the year 1918 can be obtained in the state of Virginia. One has to know that the government of Virginia keeps the file private until it reaches 50 years. Newly registered file can be requested at the office of the county clerk where the divorce was registered. Also, the person whose name is on the file is the ones that can request for the document. Those who need the record would have to provide a court order. In order to have the request processed, one has to have a photocopy of their identification card has to be submitted along with the accomplished application form.

One can request for the divorce certificate at the office of the Vital Records Section where all public documents of the state are being managed. The office can only provide records since 1918, files prior to that have to be obtained from the office of the county clerk office especially if the file that is being requested is newly registered. This has been made easier with the help of the Internet.

By using the Internet, the search is faster since it can be done even without going to any offices at all. The results are also obtained after a few clicks of the mouse. Free online divorce records can be obtained from websites who let their users test their system before paying for the services. The can help the users to decide whether they would go for the paid option or just stick with the results of the paid search.